Mr. Meester AP European History Unification of Italy Mr. Meester AP European History

Background of Italy Italy of the 1800’s had a long history of independent states. Frequent warfare and foreign rule had led people to identify with local regions. Just as in Germany, Italian nationalism was affected by Napoleon’s invasion.

Early Resistance After the fall of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna kept Italy divided and ruled by various powers. In response, nationalists organized secret societies (Carbonari), which concentrated on expelling the Austrians from Italy. Between the years of 1820 and 1848, several revolts occurred in Italy, but Austrian forces put them all down.

Mazzinni’s “Young Italy” In the 1830s, a young nationalist leader named Giuseppi Mazzinni founded “Young Italy.” The goal of this group was to create a republic in Italy. 1849, Mazinni helped set up a revolutionary republic in Rome The French crushed it Mazinni spent the next several years in exile.

Reasons for Unification Nationalists like Mazinni promoted a unified Italy because of geography, and also a common language and culture. Others believed it made economic sense. A unified Italy would promote trade between the various Italian states Encourage the building of railroads Stimulate industry growth

The Struggle for Italy 1848, the small province of Piedmont Sardinia led an Italian nationalist movement: “Risorgimento”. Piedmont Sardinia was led by King Victor Emmanuel II. Defeated by the Austrians 1852, Victor Emmanuel II appointed Count Camillo Cavour as prime minister. Cavour would use his diplomatic ability to work for Italian unification. Cavour believed in Realpolitik.

Intrigue with France Cavour first improved Sardinia’s economy His long term goal was to expel Austria Wanted to unite Lombardy and Venetia with Sardinian 1855, Sardinia aided Britain and France in the Crimean War against Russia. Sardinia gained an ally in France and Napoleon III. 1858, he negotiated a secret treaty with France gaining their support in case of war with Austria.

Franco-Austria War 1859, Cavour provoked a war with Austria and with French aid, was victorious. From the victory, Sardinia annexed Lombardy. The other northern Italian states gained their independence from Austria and voted to join with Sardinia. King Victor Emmanuel II

Garibaldi’s “Red Shirts” The nationalist movement next focused in the Kingdom of the Two Sicily's. The leader of the movement was Giuseppi Garibaldi. (He was a friend of Mazzini) 1860, with weapons provided by Cavour, Garibaldi led 1,000 Red-shirted volunteers into Sicily. With relative ease, Garibaldi conquered Sicily and then Naples.

Camillo Cavour & Giuseppi Garibaldi

“Unity at Last” Even though he had aided Garibaldi, Cavour feared the nationalist hero would set up a republic in the south. To prevent this, Cavour sent troops to defeat Garibaldi. In a patriotic move, Garibaldi turned over Naples and Sicily to Victor Emmanuel. 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was named king of Italy.

The Two “Holdouts” Two areas remained outside of the new Italian kingdom: Venetia and Rome. 1866 Venetia becomes part of Italy as part of the peace treaty of the Austro-Prussian War. 1870 Franco-Prussian War, France was forced to withdraw troops from Rome. Italian troops moved in and Rome became the capital of the new nation The papacy confined itself to the Vatican and was hostile to the unified Italy until 1929

Trials of the New Nation Italy faced problems due to its long history of disunity. The greatest regional division was between the wealthy, industrial north, and the poor, agrarian south. Another issue involved the Catholic Church. The Church resented the loss of the Papal States. In response the government granted the Church a small section of land called the Vatican.

Problems with Radicals The structure of the new government was problematic. It had a bicameral legislature, but power rested with the king. During the late 1800s, radicals fought against the new government. Socialists organized worker strikes. Anarchists used sabotage and violence as a means to end all forms of government.

Life Improves Reforms came slowly, and the unrest continued. Italy set out to win an overseas empire as a distraction. Despite its problems, Italy grew economically and socially.